Day 1 - Off we go

Well, we had the bikes packed and ready to go the night before (or so I thought).  Had an early start to the morning as we had to get the dogs to the sitter by 6:30 as she had a meeting at 7 to go to.  Dogs taken care of and went back home.  Did a final check and someone was still adding items.  More jackets, this and that.  Finally made it out by 8:00 a.m. and off we go.  It was a very nice cool morning.  We had our jackets on the entire time.  I don't think the temperature every went much above 65 the entire day.

We by passed Denver as we would still be hitting it at rush hour and besides, I-70 through Denver is boring as hell unless you are interested in bumper cars.  We ran straight to Fort Lupton and then on to Boulder (man I hate that city) and then up Boulder Canyon.  One of the redeeming factors of having to go through Boulder.  Took a short stop and took a couple of pictures.

 

 

 

When we hit the Peak to Peak highway we stopped for fuel.  Less than a mile later the roads were wet and they were that way the entire way to Central City/Black Hawk.  This was an old mining town but over 20 years ago they legalized gambling.  Krystal likes it so we stopped.  Plan was for an hour or two and then lunch.  Well, after lunch it was raining again.  Looked at radar and it was definitely going to get harder but there was a dry pocket after that.  So, we waited.  Many of the buildings in Central City are vacant but there are some nice casinos but Black Hawk has definitely won the war of gambling.

 

After leaving Central City we went south on the Central City Parkway as there was more rain moving in and we wanted to make some time.  Well, once we hit I-70 again it was a parking lot.  Not a vehicle moving west.  They were blasting the tunnel to expand them to handle more traffic for the people who want to go to the mountains.  That tunnel has always been a bottle neck for going and coming back.  Well, we sat for a few minutes and saw a couple of bikes just ahead of us.  I went a head just to chat.  Lo and behold, one was a red and black Nomad and the other was a 900.  They were from Indiana and were heading to Granby.  We were headed to Silverthorne. 

 

Well, you could tell that they hadn't done much mountain riding and definitely in the rain.  Oh ya.  During the waitfest the rain caught up with us again and it was a drizzle the rest of the way there.  Well we passed them after a few miles and I think that they were surprised that a 400 Burgman(Krystal's) could buzz by them in the mountains.

 

We had planned on taking Loveland Pass rather than the tunnels across the divide.  Well, they were pretty well socked in with rain, low hanging clouds and fog.  Well another day.  On to the tunnel.

 

 

 

 

Well, we made it through the tunnel and generally the weather is just the opposite from the other side.   Not today.  Steady light rain/drizzle the entire way there.  Once we checked in the rain turned a little heavier.

 

 

Parked for the night.  We really weren't very hungry and there was a King Sooper next door so I went and bought some grape, baby carrots, cheese and pretzels for dinner.  Before dinner, we hit the hot tub.  The indoor one was packed but there was a nice outside one.  No one was outside as they must have been afraid of melting.  Nice to sit in a hot tub when the temps are below 50 and its raining outside.  Well, off to bed soon and tomorrow is Leadville to Monarch Pass and then to Lake City for the night.